Good Tuesday Morning, everyone! Today is the first day of my working week, as yesterday was a Bank Holiday here in the UK. Let’s kick things off with a dose of kitchen gorgossity, shall we?
I’m quite taken with this space from Swedish mag Hus & Hem. Insofar as I can tell (you know, not being able to read Swedish), it’s the Stockholm apartment of Jonas, a photographer, and Cattis, a stylist. But I don’t need to read Swedish to understand that this couple and their home has style in spades; the kitchen alone is worthy of of a magazine feature.

Though a bit more utilitarian and spare than I normally gravitate to, this kitchen is fab in all kinds of ways. I love how the metal shelving serves as a freestanding wall of sorts, separating the kitchen from the dining space. That unit, and the one over the sink, turn ordinary bottles, plates and glasses into a display feature, yet the space doesn’t appear busy. Instead, it’s unified by a simple colour scheme of black, white, grey, metal and wood.

That simplicity hides some seriously luxe finishes, too. Those aren’t just marble countertops, but marble backsplashes. The lighting and well-considered seating (both at the bar and the dining table) both speak of elegance, as well. Sigh- it seems like the Swedes just do everything well, don’t you think?
Posted in Kitchens on August 31st, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: cool kitchen, grey, luxe, Stockholm, Sweden, swedish, utilitarian
Sometimes the universe whispers to you, and other times it screams. My choice of Ferm Living as today’s post topic is definitely evidence of the latter. I noticed an advertisement for the Danish homewares brand yesterday on Tottenham Court Road (my sister recently moved to a new flat, and we spent a day shopping for furniture and accessories together), only to return home and see that Decor8 was singing their praises, too.
It’s not hard to see why. Originally started as a graphic design company, Ferm Living creates bedding, wallpaper and a wide range of accessories in gorgeous colours and prints.
Clockwise from top left: Porcelain Chemistry Flasks; Tree Bomb Mug; Tower of Napkin Rings; Mushroom Soup Tea Towel; Stem Bowls; Candleholder; Glass Lab Bottles; Knitted Basket.
Check out Ferm’s blog for more imagery and news, too.
Posted in Products on August 25th, 2010 by Ele | 2 comments
Tags: Danish, design, Ferm Living
Hello, everyone! I’m slowing dragging myself back to normal life after my summer holiday, and of course that means a return to blogging. Today I thought I’d share some bright, fun and laid-back products from a new discovery of mine.
Do you know rice, the Danish homewares brand? I stumbled across it yesterday in a local boutique, and was instantly smitten with its products and message. The company motto, “people care – we care” speaks of their business practices; products are designed and developed in Denmark, but produced in developing nations under fair conditions. Involved with several charities and initiatives aimed at eliminating poverty, the company even finances a school in Burma! Of course, the products are great too, so without further ado, check out some of my favourites:

From top: Vegetable-printed Aprons; Ceramic Dipping Bowls; Set of 4 Cake Tins; Washing-up Brushes; Set of 3 Scourers; Plastic Cooler Tanks, Silicone Pastry Brush.
Posted in Products on August 18th, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: bright, colourful, Denmark, ethical, fair, fun, rice
Hello, and Happy Tuesday to you! I was away yesterday at a freelance job, which may end up eating up some other days this week, too. But I’m here now, and have another cool kitchen from The Kitchn that I’d like to share.
Matt and Blair’s Fresh Retro Kitchen caught my eye when it was posted back in April. The colour scheme of red, aqua, black and white is pure retro, but looks fresh to the modern eye. The other details have the same classic-but-current vibe; the white goods, gorgeous original sink, and cheerful patterned curtains. The fact that this space is flooded with light is the icing on the cake.

For more photos, Matt and Blair blogged the complete renovation of their house at Tulane Rehab.
Posted in Kitchens on August 3rd, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: aqua, cheerful, colour scheme, cool kitchen, red, retro
Katie Quinn Davies is a professional food photographer living and working in Sydney, Australia. While her professional work is wondrous to behold , it’s her personal blog What Katie Ate which has me hooked. It’s rare to see this level of styling in the food blogosphere. Enjoy this beauty, and have a Happy Friday!

Posted in Photography on July 30th, 2010 by Ele | Be the first to comment!
Tags: Australia, blog, food photography, food styling
Hoo boy, do I have a stunner for you today. This beautiful kitchen is currently the most popular kitchen tour at The Kitchn, and it’s not hard to see why. Belonging to Wendy, a New York-based musician, this space underwent an incredible transformation to become the clean and serene space you see here.

Obviously, I’m loving the colour scheme here. White, soft green, natural wood and carrera marble make for a soothing and sophisticated combination. My current favourite detail, the tiled wall, looks great here in a subway tile with variation and depth. Some considered lighting, modern chairs and a few green accessories complete the look.
Posted in Kitchens on July 27th, 2010 by Ele | 3 comments
Tags: calm, cool kitchen, green, modern, NYC, serene, tiled wall, wood
Blue Flower Vintage on Etsy is such a cute shop. I love it not only for its great selection of retro home- and kitchenware, but also for the charming product shots that its owners create. Care to adopt one of these fab items on this Monday morning?

1. Lotus Ware Bowl; 2. 4 Finnish Linen Placemats; 3. Catherine Holm Dutch Oven; 4. Rorstrand Sweden Tea Cup; 5. Dru Holland Cast Iron Frying Pan; 6. Copco Enameled Saute Pan.
Posted in Etsy on July 26th, 2010 by Ele | Be the first to comment!
Tags: bowl, cast iron, dutch oven, frying pan, placemat, retro, tea cup, vintage
Several weeks ago I received an email from Caroline, the design and business brains behind Warbeck & Cox. This UK home label makes quirky accessories in offbeat prints; I particularly like the grasshopper and key ranges. Plus, everything is made in England using sustainable materials, so no ethical quandaries there. Check out a few of my favourite items, for the kitchen and beyond:

1. Pepper Mill Tea Towel; 2. Bed But Hot Water Bottle; 3. Iron Tea Towel; 4. Grasshopper Tea Towel; 5. Key Tea Towel; 6. Beetle Napkins.
Posted in Products on July 22nd, 2010 by Ele | 1 comment so far
Tags: accessories, made in england, napkin, printed, tea towel, textile
Today I’m featuring one of my favourite photographers of all time. Those of you who enjoy Jamie Oliver‘s books will know this name; David Loftus has photographed the food superstar’s last five books, as well as doing work for his magazine. But it’s not just food that Loftus turns his lens on. This multi-talented and wildly successful photographer counts fashion, travel and interiors photography among his talents, as evidenced by his portfolio. Enjoy, and have a Happy Friday!

Posted in Photography on July 16th, 2010 by Ele | Be the first to comment!
Tags: food photography, interiors
I haven’t posted a cool kitchen in a while, and there’s no time like the present to rectify that. Soon after opening the August issue of Living etc, I fell head over heels for the home of textile designer Diane Bergeron and her family. Located in an old Melbourne warehouse building, inside it’s about as un-warehouse as you can get. Colourful, elegant, feminine and quirky are all adjectives that come to mind here.

The kitchen is a slightly different space, though. Oh, it’s still elegant and quirky, but here is where the industrial warehouse aesthetic really shines. I love the (original!) metal door leading into the room, not to mention the vintage rolling ladder along the (cookbook?) wall. I also like the trio of retro pendant lights over the island, which together with some well-placed cast iron cookware, add colour to the room.
Overall, this is a room I’d love to cook in. It just seems so clean, bright, and user-friendly; exactly what a kitchen should be. Be sure to check out the rest of the home, too.
Posted in Kitchens on July 13th, 2010 by Ele | 3 comments
Tags: cool kitchen, elegant, feminine, industrial, loft, melbourne, quirky, retro, warehouse